Genesis 43 vs. 15-23 with Betty

15 And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph.

16 And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, Bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon.

17 And the man did as Joseph bade; and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

18 And the men were afraid, because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, Because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the first time are we brought in; that he may seek occasion against us, and fall upon us, and take us for bondmen, and our asses.

19 And they came near to the steward of Joseph’s house, and they communed with him at the door of the house,

20 And said, O sir, we came indeed down at the first time to buy food:

21 And it came to pass, when we came to the inn, that we opened our sacks, and, behold, every man’s money was in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight: and we have brought it again in our hand.

22 And other money have we brought down in our hands to buy food: we cannot tell who put our money in our sacks.

23 And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

K.J.V. Bible Text

My Thougths:

When Israel’s sons went back to Egypt, they followed the sensible precautions their father had suggested, but when they went before Joseph, he saw they had brought Benjamin with them and immediately asked a steward of his house to take the brothers to his home to eat a meal with him.

The scripture says the brothers were frightened that they would be overpowered and made into slaves. I’m sure I would have been afraid too in their situation. They knew they had gone home the first time both with the food they had come to purchase and the silver they had intended to pay with. So here they were in an unknown country, unsure about what was to happen.

It was very wise of them to immediately tell the steward what happened the first time and to explain that they did not know why they had the silver in their bags when they returned home.

The steward not only reassured them, he brought out their brother Simeon who had been imprisoned during their absence. This must have received some of their anxiety, but I’m sure they were still very apprehensive about what was going to happen to them that day.